eBook: Dr. Syn · A Smuggler Tale of the Romney Marsh
Russell Thorndike created Doctor Syn for this, his first novel, published in 1915. A native of Romney Marsh in southeast England, he chose to base the book around real-life smuggling in the area in the late 18th century. Dr. Christopher Syn, an elderly parson, has his life turned upside down when His Majesty’s government comes to Dymchurch-under-the-Wall to investigate that smuggling.
Unlike some of the other recent editions of this book, this version is complete. It has been thoroughly proofread and newly-set in Caslon, the leading book typeface of the 18th century. I hope you enjoy the book and the reading experience. Download a copy at the bottom of the page. Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page. Contact me if you find errors, and I’ll make sure to issue an updated version.
Below you’ll see comparison screenshots on iOS and Kindle, as well as different devices using each OS.
iPad 2, iOS 8.0.2, iBooks 3.2
iPod Touch 4, iOS 6.1.6, iBooks 2.1.1
Kindle Fire, Android 4.4.4, Kindle 4.7.0
Kindle Paperwhite I, Kindle 5.4.4.2
Kindle 4, Kindle 4.1.1
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One of the major drawbacks to ebooks for me has been the lack of design control over ebook formatting. You’re a wizard, Scott! Classic cover, too.
Thanks, Alan.
I’m not being too modest here in saying I’m just doing the job of a book designer. As you know, I’ve worked in books and magazines, and I’ve also acquired HTML/CSS skills over time. Applying those is pretty straightforward for someone with my skill set.
I’m not unique in this aspect. There are many qualified designers out there. But there’s a lack of will from the major publishing houses to elevate their offerings from basic texts to designed ebooks. They don’t want them to compete with the print offerings, and at the same time they want to overcharge for digital editions to not erode print cover prices. I’ve seen a number of media transition to digital. By far, the book industry has done its absolute worst in order to prop up their outdated business models.
I don’t think paper should go away, but a large portion of it is wasted on of-the-moment material that would be better served on our devices than in a physical object on our shelves. Save the print for the things that last, that have proved the test of time, and then only the ones that are special to you. Like Picard having a treasured old volume.
I think the world is catching up to the idea, as we’re seeing the collapse of print newspapers and magazines accelerating. All of that is better served digitally at this point. People like myself thought it would have already happened over a decade ago, but the boomers revolted and wouldn’t let go of their physical objects. Things will only accelerate as those limits are taken care of by mortality.